Singapore’s Little Secret– A Trip Down Haji Lane

Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there lies a quaint little lane that will take you to another place unlike the rest of the city. Contrary to the the high rise buildings and huge luxurious malls of Singapore, Haji Lane is an overload of quaint small indie boutiques and cute local stores. WIth an undeniable vintage flair and a hint of old world charm, every door is just as pleasing to the eyes as the next with all the inviting colors and designs.

“Haji” is the Malay term for a Muslim man who has completed his pilgrimage to Mecca. Perhaps it’s where the name originated from, Haji Lane, back in the 60’s and 70’s, used to accommodate not only pilgrims on their way to Mecca, but also provides shelter for poor Malay families. Incidentally, Haji Lane is also located next to the busy Arab Street.

By now, if you’ve been reading my blog, you should already know that I am a sucker for anything that takes me on a journey back in time (like when I went to colonial era and when I played 1940’s pin-up at a carnival). Needless to say, Haji Lane not only took me on a time warp, but it also teleported me to another place. Walking down this narrow lane made me feel like I was no longer in Southeast Asia. Besides the humidity, the three digit temperature, and perhaps the lack of sailors, it felt like walking in a small American town back in the 40’s.

I couldn’t snap as much as I can inside the shops because there were signs telling me not to do so, but I took a few outside. Definitely a fashionista’s haven and a self-proclaimed hipster’s paradise, almost every corner is absolutely photogenic. Plenty of the shops are painted in pastel, and although it may scream cute in all its aspect, they are tastefully decorated in chic designs. Others scream eclectic and quirky, while some are just culturally inviting.

From basics to modish, Haji Lane boutique store simply caters to those who believes that style is eternal. Other than clothes, there are also shops that holds anything from an array of local finds, dainty little knick knacks, timeless furnitures, intricately designed textiles, etc.

Haji Lane is best visited in the afternoon. It may be pretty hot, but there will be less people, and plus, you can always cool off at one of their quirky cafes. Since it’s next to the festive Arab Street, try to finish your stroll at Haji Lane by 5:30 so you can continue on and catch Arab Street at it’s liveliest. It’s filled with an array of middle-eastern and mediterranean restaurants so go crazy on kabobs and baba ganoush. You may also catch live belly dancing performances at night time. Just don’t skip out on the alleys before you make your way there. There are pretty unmissable bars with vivid murals that are worth a few clicks.

When all is said and done, Haji Lane is not only attracting travelers like us from different parts of the world. It is a haven for local shoppers too. In a modern westernized country, it’s quite ironic that many still prefer and search for the underground quaintness in their city. But maybe that’s just human nature and we’re all just looking for a change of pace. Perhaps we all just want what’s rare and different. Perhaps we’re enthralled by what’s contradicting. Whichever way you find your desire, you’re only a trip down Haji Lane away.

Are you a fan of quaint places too? Let me know down below! If you like what you read on my blog, please follow me on Facebook where we can keep in touch and where I can keep you updated on my new posts!

About girl, unspotted

Erica is a third world passport holder with an American accent, joyously dancing through the islands of the Philippines. A huge sucker for magical places, she continues to search for the world's most beautiful corners. She enjoys sharing her finds through writing and photography. Born with a knack of telling people what to do, she not only writes about personal travel tales to inspire, but she also provides destination guides to tell her readers where, what, and how to travel to certain places impeccably. Thirty, married, and thriving, Erica defies all conventional expectations of a Filipino woman and continues to chase the world. In her bikini. Also hilarious and witty af.